Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Dec 14: “Farmers work without salary, increment, pension or bribe. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to protect their interests. The state government which knows about it has written off Rs 8,700 crore loan borrowed by them from cooperative societies. It has extended interest free loan until Rs three lac, and loan at the rate of 3% interest till Rs 10 lac,” said Karnataka minister of energy, D K Shivakumar.
He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Raitha Siri’, the main administrative office of Kambadkone farmer’s service cooperative society built at Uppunda at a cost of Rs three crore on Thursday, December 14.
“Cooperative means joining. That is the beginning. Proceeding after joining is strength. Working together after it is development. Cooperative societies should work sincerely in that direction. Prompt repayment of loan by farmers and workers on time has made the cooperative movement to grow in the twin districts stronger,” he said.
Mentioning about the Stree Shakthi Sanghas started by him when he was the minister in cooperative sector, he said that those have grown stronger now. He said, “Those have given economic strength to girls who are considered the eye of families. Women are strengthening the cooperative system by repaying loans borrowed by them on time.”
Minister of fisheries, youth empowerment and sports, Pramod Madhwaraj inaugurated the head office in the new building, Dakshina Kannada district cooperative bank president M N Rajendra Kumar inaugurated the banking division, MLA K Gopala Poojary the Raitha Siri auditorium, former minister K Jayaprakash Hegde, the fair price shop, District Cooperative Union president Kishan Hegde Kolkebail inaugurated new computer centre and DK Milk Producers’ Federation president K Raviraja Hegde inaugurated the strong room.
President of the association S Prakaschandra who chaired the programme welcomed and mentioned the way the association had grown. Director B S Suresh Shetty delivered the vote of thanks. Journalist K C Rajesh and R J Nayana compered the programme. District panchayat members Suresh Batwadi, Gauri Devadiga, Shanker Poojary, district
central cooperative bank director B Raghurama Shetty, S Raju Poojary, cooperative association deputy controller B Pravin Nayak were the guests of honour. Association director, chief executive Sathish Vaman Pai was on the dais.
“It is not correct to say that separate tours by chief minister and the party president are an indication of differences between the party and the government. There is consensus among them. It is a unanimous decision as it will take longer for the chief minister alone to go to all the places in the state. Therefore, party tours in the state will be held in two groups,” said minister of energy D K Shivakumar.
He was speaking to reporters after inauguration programme held in the presence of minister of cooperative societies Ramesh Jarakiholi. He said that lack of requisite information has caused dissatisfaction in senior party leader Jaffer Sharief. He said that he will be touring the state with party president Dr Parameshwar.
No load shedding
He said that precautions are taken to prevent scarcity of coal for generating electricity. “The power will be bought from outside during shortfall. Load shedding will not be resorted to at any cost. The well being of farmers and people will be maintained,” clarified minister Shivakumar.